Lock suitcase or not if state bound?
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I don't think that there are any problems with flights originating outside the US, even if they're going to the US. Locks have always been acceptable and indeed recommended by airlines.
It's only for US-originating flights, where the TSA is responsible for screening, that the TSA recommends that you don't lock your bags because they may want to smash their way inside them if you do.
It's only for US-originating flights, where the TSA is responsible for screening, that the TSA recommends that you don't lock your bags because they may want to smash their way inside them if you do.
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I've not read the rest of the thread apart from the OP so this is probably a repeat but....
LOCK IT!
Going to the States LOCK IT.
Coming from the States, LOCK IT.
You'll find your airline and your travel insurance will take no responisibility if your bag is unlocked and something goes missing.
The worst that'll happen is the TSA will break your lock.
The TSA are a joke. There's no need for the whole leave your bag unlocked cherade.
LOCK IT!
Going to the States LOCK IT.
Coming from the States, LOCK IT.
You'll find your airline and your travel insurance will take no responisibility if your bag is unlocked and something goes missing.
The worst that'll happen is the TSA will break your lock.
The TSA are a joke. There's no need for the whole leave your bag unlocked cherade.
Paxing All Over The World
The worst that'll happen is the TSA will break your lock.
What makes it the more irritating, it that the next major attack on the USA is highly unlikely to be through an airliner. 'Security' and military agencies are always fighting the last war.
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Originally Posted by bealine
.......It was a flight to the USA originating at Gatwick (CO 5) and terminating in Houston when the TSA destroyed my bag!!!
If it was a direct flight then the TSA have not been near your bag on the US inbound flight. LGW screening; LGW baggage handling: Houston baggage handling and US Customs.
The TSA only inspect outbound baggage - there is liitle point in screening for an in-flight bomb after the flight has landed.
If your flight was indirect, then the TSA staff at eaxh US intermediate stop will have screened the baggage before it was placed onto the next flight.
Shuttlebus and PAXboy make some very sensible comments. Ever since my mandatory military service in a NATO member Air Force I realized that uniformed officials tend to consider their power as a perk of their jobs.
I heard that the TSA agents are the former private security firms employees who were rehired at a higher paying goverment job. I am not sure if this is true but it makes sence. So they do a sloppy jobs and they don't really care if they ruin people's property -because they have a right to do so and they are accountable for any damage.
I feel that in the area of security goverments want to be seen doing something rather that actually do something effective. So if something goes wrong they can claim we took all the necessary measures...
Regarding pre-screaning in the DELTA Airlines terminal in JFK in 1994 both metal detectors and X-Ray machines were located in the entrances.
Rwy in Sight
I heard that the TSA agents are the former private security firms employees who were rehired at a higher paying goverment job. I am not sure if this is true but it makes sence. So they do a sloppy jobs and they don't really care if they ruin people's property -because they have a right to do so and they are accountable for any damage.
I feel that in the area of security goverments want to be seen doing something rather that actually do something effective. So if something goes wrong they can claim we took all the necessary measures...
Regarding pre-screaning in the DELTA Airlines terminal in JFK in 1994 both metal detectors and X-Ray machines were located in the entrances.
Rwy in Sight
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Originally Posted by PAXboy
Paper Tiger Uummm, where do you start considering your clothing as having a 'value'? Is it when they take your M&S underwear, or when they take your Saville Row suit? If I place a swatch of 24 CDs in my hold case - so that my hand luggage will not exceed permitted weight - is that placing something of value in the case?
Most household insurance will cover such losses.
But it was this statement of yours which I did not follow
It's not whether someone can open your case, it whether they leave any evidence of having done so that is more important.
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The TSA cut off our TSA-approved combo lock, by breaking the zip. Didn't get the lock back.
On a Malaysian domestic flight, another zip was broken.
"Security" is currently costing us a suitcase per trip. It's cable ties for me next time. (Only snag is I need a blade in hand luggage to get it open at the far end)
On a Malaysian domestic flight, another zip was broken.
"Security" is currently costing us a suitcase per trip. It's cable ties for me next time. (Only snag is I need a blade in hand luggage to get it open at the far end)
Paxing All Over The World
Paper Tiger
The quote that you refer to "... whether they leave any evidence of having done so that is more important." was made by Final 3 Greens as the #10 post in the thread.
But it was this statement of yours which I did not follow
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.... and my point is that if anyone has interfered with your luggage, it is far better to be aware of this as soon as retrieving the bag off the carousel.
If one is aware that the bag has bee tampered with then it can be reported to the authorities immediately, for example before clearing customs.
If one is aware that the bag has bee tampered with then it can be reported to the authorities immediately, for example before clearing customs.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bealine
.......It was a flight to the USA originating at Gatwick (CO 5) and terminating in Houston when the TSA destroyed my bag!!!
If it was a direct flight then the TSA have not been near your bag on the US inbound flight. LGW screening; LGW baggage handling: Houston baggage handling and US Customs.
The TSA only inspect outbound baggage - there is liitle point in screening for an in-flight bomb after the flight has landed.
If your flight was indirect, then the TSA staff at eaxh US intermediate stop will have screened the baggage before it was placed onto the next flight.
Originally Posted by bealine
.......It was a flight to the USA originating at Gatwick (CO 5) and terminating in Houston when the TSA destroyed my bag!!!
If it was a direct flight then the TSA have not been near your bag on the US inbound flight. LGW screening; LGW baggage handling: Houston baggage handling and US Customs.
The TSA only inspect outbound baggage - there is liitle point in screening for an in-flight bomb after the flight has landed.
If your flight was indirect, then the TSA staff at eaxh US intermediate stop will have screened the baggage before it was placed onto the next flight.
Nothing was missing - just irreparable, unclaimable damage to a bl00dy good suitcase!!!
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They've got it right at PVG... Bags xrayed on the belt as the bag leaves the check in desk, and the operators ARE awake... 75% of the time I get called to the security room at the end of the row and have to prove my pantomine bomb shaped Hugo Boss is really aftershave and not something more sinister.
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Buy a combination locking-strap (such as Samsonite) and lock the strap only. If a TSA agent has to open the bag/suitcase, it will be opened with a master key kept by TSA. This works for me as a frequent visitor to the USA, and your bag/suitcase should remain undamaged.
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Originally Posted by malanda
The TSA cut off our TSA-approved combo lock, by breaking the zip. Didn't get the lock back.
To get into a zip bag, you don't need to break the lock.
All you need is a pen nib through the teeth and you're away.
Don't want to polish FRA's halo, but all Economy checked luggage is x-rayed in a sterile area prior to check-in, with LOTS of bags being opened and physically examined.
Now, if only they'd extend that to First and Business.....
Now, if only they'd extend that to First and Business.....
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Why is it every other country in the world seems able to organize their security without this hassle yet the good ole US of A (who, don't forget, only discovered airport security a little over 4 years ago) are now literally taking a sledgehammer to crack a walnut?!
America does so many things so very well, but when they get it wrong they get it totally f&%Ģing wrong! 
America does so many things so very well, but when they get it wrong they get it totally f&%Ģing wrong!
It's the histrionics that get me!
Flew out of LAX to BOS recently and - due to the one-way ticket - was classified as a security risk by check-in. (Executive management, been with the organisation for 40 years, but hey, I fit the potential terrorist profile)
Well, what a hullaballoo. I thought the first guy who saw the SSS on the boarding pass was going to hyperventilate - started bellowing cryptic commands to all and sundry, who came rushing (I mean RUSHING) to prevent disaster by separating me from bags and sundry items of clothing. I'm not kidding - 6 or so people were involved.
Probably went home and told the admiring family that they saved America from the threat of terrorism. Or nucular attack. What do I know.
(Out of BOS wasn't much better - Marine drill sergeant wannabe bellowing convoluted instructions to each and every passenger. How about guidelines in pictogram form?) Jeez.
Flew out of LAX to BOS recently and - due to the one-way ticket - was classified as a security risk by check-in. (Executive management, been with the organisation for 40 years, but hey, I fit the potential terrorist profile)
Well, what a hullaballoo. I thought the first guy who saw the SSS on the boarding pass was going to hyperventilate - started bellowing cryptic commands to all and sundry, who came rushing (I mean RUSHING) to prevent disaster by separating me from bags and sundry items of clothing. I'm not kidding - 6 or so people were involved.
Probably went home and told the admiring family that they saved America from the threat of terrorism. Or nucular attack. What do I know.
(Out of BOS wasn't much better - Marine drill sergeant wannabe bellowing convoluted instructions to each and every passenger. How about guidelines in pictogram form?) Jeez.
Lady Lexxington
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Revman2, LAX is appalling for hysterical security staff. Mr Lexx and I were SSS'd due to my being airline staff (huge risk you see) and told to go stand in the naughty queue. I started asking other people who had been sent there if they were staff, etc Turned out that nearly every person in that queue was either current or retired airline staff on nonrevs. The only one who wasn't was a gentleman in his 50/60s who had purchased his ticket through a travel agent and paid cash, his wife had gone through normal security.
I have no problem being put through additional security, what I do have a problem with is being used to make up numbers*, whilst security potentially miss real threats because they are too busy being rude to SSS pax and causing us to miss flights due to the 40minute wait they put you through before they will deal with you. The staff who have been, apparentely, trained to ignore you when you mention that your flight will be departing soon, are the rudest and most heavy handed I have ever had the misfortune to come across. If I could avoid LAX forever I would, however I have a very good friend who lives there.
* I have asked the TSA at several other US airports and they confirmed that airline staff on duty or pleasure are used to make up the numbers they need to secondary screen.
I find the TSA to be rude, surly and totally out of touch with what it a risk and what isn't. Not impressed.
I have no problem being put through additional security, what I do have a problem with is being used to make up numbers*, whilst security potentially miss real threats because they are too busy being rude to SSS pax and causing us to miss flights due to the 40minute wait they put you through before they will deal with you. The staff who have been, apparentely, trained to ignore you when you mention that your flight will be departing soon, are the rudest and most heavy handed I have ever had the misfortune to come across. If I could avoid LAX forever I would, however I have a very good friend who lives there.
* I have asked the TSA at several other US airports and they confirmed that airline staff on duty or pleasure are used to make up the numbers they need to secondary screen.
I find the TSA to be rude, surly and totally out of touch with what it a risk and what isn't. Not impressed.
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Out of interest, what happens to a pax who has checked in in good time, goes straight to security but us delayed by extra screening and therefore miss your flight.
Two points, once through security, the PAX is effectively in no man's land ie airside, but with no flight to go to. Secondly, how does such a PAX actually get hold of their off;loaded baggage and then eventually get to their destination. I can't see many economy holiday PAX having sufficent funds available to purchase a further ticket.
Two points, once through security, the PAX is effectively in no man's land ie airside, but with no flight to go to. Secondly, how does such a PAX actually get hold of their off;loaded baggage and then eventually get to their destination. I can't see many economy holiday PAX having sufficent funds available to purchase a further ticket.
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Originally Posted by lexxity
If I could avoid LAX forever I would, however I have a very good friend who lives there.
Lady Lexxington
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Pat I have no idea what would happen to a normal pax if they missed a flight due to the pillocks who the TSA employ, luckily when you are nonrev you just go on the next available. Luckily LAX-ORD is a very well served route.